//------------------------------// // 6 - The day before the end // Story: I like Big Mac // by andrizzi //------------------------------// The wheel of the truck was rolling over the dirt road that led to Sweet Apple Acres, the sound of the engine barely covered the beautiful sounds of the surroundings. It was a sunny day with a clear sky. Birds were singing happily, searching for other chirps to match their own. It was one of those days that made look spring as the most beautiful season of the year. Big Mac was gathering the apples of the Orchard. He had started to work as soon as he arrived at the farm, without fooling around. He just yearned for something in order to keep his mind busy and his forehead covered in sweat. And suddenly he heard the sound of something big crashing. At the ingress of the farm, Applejack’s truck had stopped over the now unhinged front gate. Clearly, the driver had started to arrest the vehicle too late, underestimating the weight and the power of the engine. Worried for his sister, Big Mac run to the driver seat of the truck. Instead of Applejack, he found an ashamed Fluttershy with eyes full of tears. It took him almost fifteen minute and a hot chamomile in order to calm her down. After muttering dozens of apologies for breaking the gate, that Mac politely accepted, she finally remembered the reason of her visit. Fluttershy gathered herself on the couch, then she spoke. “Hm, Big Mac? About Rainbow Dash...” Surprisingly, Big Mac winced at hearing the name. he felt like he missed a beat of his own heart, nevertheless, he allowed Fluttershy to continue. "I think that the two of you met right after school. And… she hasn't called any of us," she said. Then she wobbled a little on her seat, trying to get a little more comfortable. "I don't mean to pry but I'm worried about her. Could you please tell me what happened?" Mac could tell that Fluttershy was truly concerned, so he thought nothing bad about telling her. He summarized what he and Dash told each other inside the halls of the school. It was rather what Rainbow said, actually, and him doing his best to spare the dignity of the girl. While he talked, Fluttershy nodded several times. Her gaze was firm on him, thinking about what he was saying. “So you… Just walked away?” “Eee...yup.” "Here's what I think. Rainbow Dash never skips her time at the soccer field, unless she doesn't have a good reason to. If she didn't show up today it must have been because…" Fluttershy hesitated for a moment as if she was about to say something mean that he didn't truly deserve. "You hurt her." Mac stood his head up. His mouth was still flat, but now his eyes were open wide. "I know you were trying to avoid that, but she may have seen your hurry as inconsideration in her regards," said Fluttershy to reassure him. "There is something else I need to know. Tell me, would you like to date Rainbow Dash?" That question made him blush. He had never seriously thought about dating anyone, and now suddenly everybody cared about his loving life. Now, of all the times, it was a real mess. Seeing his uncertain, Fluttershy spoke, “I’ll try to make it more simple. If she was to ask you out, how would you respond?” “Yup.” "Then listen carefully..." said Fluttershy with a smile forming on her face, "...because I want that too." Inside Rainbow Dash’s room, Big Mac was focusing on the girl in front of him. He had just offered himself to her, just to stay there, listening and accepting everything she wanted to say. And she was giving her answer. Her words were saying that she was ok, that he didn’t have to worry. She was doing her best to look strong, confident and cool. As if she wasn’t already. But Mac didn’t take what she said for granted, he made his best to read between the lines. He had always assumed to be good at reading people, partly thanks to his practice while dealing with customers at the apple stand. He wished reading this girl was that easy. *** "Firstly, always remember that, even if she liked you, she would never admit it. She may don't want to accept it either. So don't expect any kind of confession from her. Still, you have to go and show her that you care about her. This will at least comfort her, I hope, but you mustn't move forward on your own." *** Though the girl in front of him was still a mystery for him, Big Mac was now sure that he wanted to know her better. Maybe it was just the curiosity, but he felt the urge of establishing a connection. Even if the feelings of Rainbow Dash were still uncertain, he decided that he wanted to earn all her affections. He would have courted her, so he was going to meet her father in order to follow his own gentleman’s code. Rainbow Dash blinked for the fifth time, at least. She didn’t show any other sign of cerebral activity since Big Mac had asked her out. Her mind had stopped abruptly, unable to fully understand what was going on. All she knew was that this situation was turning out to be terrifying. ‘HE ASKED ME OUT!’ she thought, ‘Oh my gosh he asked me to go out with him. Why now? Why didn’t he ask me yesterday? I was ready to say no yesterday! I had the excuse ready! This is not fair. I can’t go out as a… as a...’ Finally, Rainbow realized that she had missed one important detail in order to panic. She needed more info before freaking out. “You want to go out,” she said factly. “Eyup.” “Just the two of us.” “Eyup.” “And you want to go like...” Big Mac shrugged with a reassuring smile. *** "Also, keep in mind that Rainbow Dash repels everything girly such as flowers, makeup, fancy dresses, girl's talks, deep feelings and first of all boys. “So don’t be a cavalier in shining armor, because that’s not what she wants. You have to show her that you are funny and cool before she even considers you as something more than a friend. If you want to act like something more than a friend that’s good, but don’t let her know.” *** “There is a new place, it’s called ‘Medieval times’ and Ah wanted to check it out. Ah’ll like to not go alone.” “So, it’s just an easy thing.” “Eyup.” “Sounds… nice.” Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes in thought. ‘Oh crap, I don’t have any reason to say no to that.’ While she was looking at her shoulder, Mac noticed a little blush on her cheeks. He said nothing, though, since he was feeling his throat tighten. In the end, Rainbow Dash looked at him with a smile. “Yeah, sounds cool. Uhm, see you at seven?” As Big Mac nodded happily, she walked backward until the corner waving at him. Once she was out of sight, she turned progressed rapidly to her classroom. She aimed directly for her seat, holding out everything and everyone from her thoughts. However, she couldn’t ignore the voice of one of her best friends. “Hey there, looks like you just saw a ghost,” said AJ. “I wish I was that lucky,” replied Dash with a whimper. Dash had to go through few other hours of lessons before being able to go home, but her mind had already left her head since a long time. She stayed quiet and did her best to get through the day without talking to anybody. Only once she arrived inside her room she allowed herself to react to how she felt. It… took her a while actually. She wasn’t sure how to feel about it, no matter how hard she brooded. ‘Come on, Big Mac invited you to have a dinner together. So?’ Following an instinct, Rainbow Dash dashed on her bed bouncing up and down several times. “Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh!” chirped she excitedly. As soon as she realized what she was doing, Rainbow Dash stopped it and stared at nothing. Then she yelled at no one. "Where did this come from?!" She slid over the edge of the bed on sat on its side. "Chill out, Dash. It's just a dinner between friends. At least, I think he wants to be just a friend, right? I mean, he would have declared or done something yesterday otherwise. Why would he wait one day to make a move on me?" But Rainbow Dash wasn't convinced. No matter how she couldn't just accept the idea that it was an exit between simple friends. ‘I know, I’ll friendzone him! So he’ll have to friendzone me too and he’ll never try anything of the sort with me.’ Dash stood up proud as she was thinking about her brilliant plan, despite the slight feeling of something stinging her heart. ‘It’s not like I really want to friendzone him, he’s kinda the guy that you don’t want to keep in there I guess. He’s strong, polite, appealing, honest and who knows what else and I bet that the ‘big’ refers even to OMYGOSH STOP IT!’ Rainbow Dash felt a wave of unbearable heat riding her face as she was thinking about the good qualities of Big Mac. She couldn’t manage a night out, she couldn’t even manage to think about him let alone stand near him an entire night. ‘This was a bad idea,’ she thought, ‘I should just call him and cancel our date NOT DATE, our friendly meeting. Between friends.’ As she was groaning, Rainbow Dash pulled out her phone and opened her contact list. She had named Big Mac as ‘AJbro’ so he was almost on top of the list. ‘It’s for the best,’ she reasoned, ‘better end this now before giving him false hopes.’ Finally, she spotted the right name on the list. She raised her finger over it, right under AJ's number. Just to leave it hanging, as just the name of her friend dragged her memories back to the previous day. It was a quick recalling, after which Rainbow Dash bit her cheek and looked down ashamed. Then she turned off the phone with a sigh. ‘Just because I promised, AJ.’ At the Apple’s farm, inside the second floor’s bathroom to be precise, Big Mac was preparing himself for the night out. He was standing in front of a big mirror, near the sink, trying to figure out how to look at best. *** "You'll perhaps think that this is cliche, but always remember to be yourself when you're in conflict. I know for sure that Rainbow Dash would never get interested into an easygoing pander." Big Mac simply raised an eyebrow. "But, umm, also try to look a little cooler? If that's ok with you?" said Fluttershy, who was clearly hesitant. After a couple of seconds spent in awkward silence, she frowned. “Not everything I say is gospel truth.” *** ‘Well,’ he thought, ‘Ah’ll show up as Ah’m proud to be, means as myself.’ Big Mac smiled at his reflection, he had always found his own appearance pretty nice. He expanded his chest and tried to capture a good profile. ‘Reckon Ah should at least wear a more elegant plaid shirt.’ Two minutes of research in his closet later, Mac checked his figure again and admitted that he could look better with just a little touch of fru-fru fashion. Curious about how much he could improve, he turned back to his room and took all the fashion dresses and accessories, willing to try them for the first time since he received them as several presents from friends and family. Firstly, he tried to put on a set of rings. Then he added a couple of bracelets, guessing that it was well fitted. Completely absorbed in his experiment, he put on a clip-on earring and a kerchief. Still not satisfied with the final result, he headed to his room once again to wear a couple of old jeans with studs. While on his way back to the bathroom, he walked into Apple Bloom. She was heading to the bathroom too, carrying a basket filled with dirty laundry. Apple Bloom stopped right in front of his brother with a surprised expression. After she finally recognized him, Apple Bloom looked at Big Mac from head to toe with very critical eyes. Then she made eye contact with him. Barely holding a snicker, Apple Bloom said, “Are you goin’ out for a date?” Big Mac nodded embarrassed. Apple Bloom tossed the laundry away and grabbed Macintosh for his hand, dragging him into the bathroom. Once there, she removed the all the accessories and fitted properly the plaid shirt. "As you were, Ah'll say the sink stood more chances than you had. The kerchief is ok, but it's a neck kerchief so pull it off from that hay head of yours." Imparted the instruction, Apple Bloom went to his room and took one other pair of blue jeans. They weren't a fashion dress, but they were in a good shape and, most important, good looking. Satisfied with the choice, she came back to the bathroom and tossed the trousers at Bit Mac. "Here, put this on and forget about whatever that is," she said while pointing at the studded jeans. Before leaving her brother with some privacy to change trousers, she tapped h chin with an analyzing face. Then she licked her palm and climbed on Mac's knees to reach his head. She combed his hair a little, just in order to not let them fall on his face, and lastly she went out the bathroom closing the door. Big Mac changed as his sister recommended to do and stared at himself from the mirror. He was looking nice, actually. He felt like himself, just… a little cooler. He left the bathroom and struck a pose for his sister. Apple Bloom, who had been waiting outside for him, stared him with a smile before giving her approval. “Look good now,” she said proudly, “Ah bet you’ll have a good luck tonight.” Big Mac blushed a bit, then he reached down his youngest sister and snuggled her a little. Rainbow Dash continued to tap her foot as she was watching the clock. Her absolutely not date with Big Mac would have started soon. Once again she felt so nervous that she considered to just avoid him and cancel the dinner and, once again, she pressed herself to go on. ‘Come on, it’s no big deal. You go out, grab something, eat, and then straight home. Easy peasy. You don’t even have to prepare or dress up.’ Rainbow Dash opened wide her eyes as a worries struck in her mind. “Wait, should I dress up or not? What about makeup? Should I comb my hair?” She shook her head to wipe out her anxiety. “Snap it out Dash, this is ridiculous. As if you would put up nicely for a boy. I’ll just go and be myself. Everybody knows that being yourself is the fastest way to get dumped.” She closed her eyes in self-praising for a couple of seconds, after which she felt her confident smile falter a little. She couldn't feel perfectly smooth with that decision. In the end, she groaned and turned towards the bathroom. ‘Fine, just a tip of lipstick.’ When the clock reached ten minutes to seven, Rainbow Dash went down from the stairs heading to the front door. Rainbow Blitz was in the living room, reading the leaflet of a new takeaway restaurant until he heard her daughter approaching the door. “I’m going out for tonight!” she announced. “Wait!” Rainbow Dash turned back in surprise, her father had stood up and was quickly reaching her. “Are you… going out with Mac?” She opened her eyes wide and blushed, impressed both by the fact that he was looking so worried and that he had guessed right so easily. “Uhm, yeah?” Rainbow Blitz scratched his head uncertain. He didn't know what to say, when was the last time he had to face a situation this troublesome? How did he respond to such terror? *** “Daddy! Me and my friends from the kindergarten wanted to build a two feet slide with the metal and wood scraps.” “Two feet tall?” yelled Rainbow Blitz. “I bet we can make it three feet at least.” “Yeeeah,” shouted Rainbow Dash with her fists straight in the air. “Best daddy ever.” *** “Daddy! I and the others kids from the elementary wanted to run our bikes under the abandoned and shabby construction site.” “Are you wearing your helmet and other bike stuff?” “Yes.” “You’re free to go and crash as hard as you can.” “Oh Yeeeah!” *** "Hey, Dad!" shouted Rainbow, "where are my boxing gloves?" “Why?” “I challenged Hoops into a boxing match with me tomorrow since he was picking on Fluttershy.” “Are you sure you can beat him? Otherwise...” “Please, I could beat him and his two friends at once.” “Fine, tell me how it went after.” “He’ll get a sonic punchboom,” muttered Rainbow, lost in her thought. *** "Hey, Dad!" shouted Rainbow while holding a new guitar. "Check this out!" Rainbow Dash started to play a rock solo until she started to glow. As a cyan aura surrounded her, a couple of wings grew on her back. Then her hairs grew longer and a two big pony ears appeared too. After all the glowing, Rainbow Dash jumped and flapped her wings. Hovering in the air, she watched her father with a smirk. "So, what do you think?" For all that time, Rainbow Blitz had stayed completely still in front of her, without even blinking. He had watched without making any sound, thinking about who knows what. Finally, he gave his response. “Cool.” Father and daughter fist bumped. “Gotta go, there’s some pizza in the fridge.” *** “Daaad!” shouted Rainbow Dash. “Huston to Blitz, do you hear me?” Rainbow Blitz came back to the present, a little dumbfounded for his own caring methods. ‘How comes I’ve never felt this worried? I’m starting to question my own priorities.’ "Are you ok?" asked she a little concerned. "You zoomed out for a half minute there." "Sorry, it's just..." Rainbow Blitz couldn't find the words. Geez, he couldn't even sort his thoughts on the matter. Why was he so scared about this? The fella gave him a good impression and he trusted Rainbow Dash enough to let her have her adventures. He had always been sure that every time she had to face a challenge it would end goodly, so why was he hesitant now? Maybe he was scared that the story would turn out to have a good ending, that he will just be left behind and forgotten by her. But this wasn’t about him, it was her future that mattered now. It has always been her future that mattered the most. And he was starting to worry way too soon for that, anyway. Of course, Blitz handled this struggle internally. The only thing explicit about it were his eyes, too much emotion prevented them from stay focused on anything for more than one second. Seeing that Dash was starting to get worried, he said reassuringly, “Nevermind.” Then he caressed gently but playfully her head. “Enjoy your exit.” Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes and opened the door, but in a moment of hesitation, she turned her head back to his father. She gave him a cocky smile and wink. "I'll tell you about it tomorrow." As her daughter closed the door, Rainbow Blitz went back to the living room and sat on the couch. Without noticing, he started to rub the base of his left annular. He stared down at it and watched thoughtfully at his wedding ring. He chuckled as he realized what he was doing. ‘Maybe I’m just making confusion between the two girls that defined my life,’ he thought. Outside the mansion, right on the other side of the front door, Rainbow Dash had kept herself thinking about what just happened. She was trying to understand what Rainbow Blitz was facing right now, it wasn’t like him to act so mushy, but it wasn’t a situation she could easily refer too. “Folks,” she muttered shaking her head, “they get so emotional sometimes.”